Fast-track courts face challenges in resources and efficiency

Fast-track courts in India aim to address judicial backlog and deliver timely justice, facing challenges in resources and efficiency.

Fast-track courts in India were established to address the phenomenal judicial backlog (Chart 1) and ensure the timely delivery of justice. These courts were designed to deal with heinous crimes, including sexual offences and crimes against women and children. However, the effectiveness of fast-track courts has been plagued by several factors, such as resource limitations, inefficient investigations, and insufficient staff at the judiciary. The demand for these courts occasionally resurfaces when incidents like the tragic rape and murder of a doctor at Kolkata’s R.G. Kar Medical College happen, though the inherent limitations of the judicial system remain largely overlooked.

Chart 1| The chart shows the total criminal cases pending in High courts (right axis) and district courts (left axis)

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Chart 2 indicates that between 2018 and 2020, India saw a significant rise in the number of fast-track courts. In 2018, 699 courts were operational, growing to 907 by 2020. This increase was largely a response to public outcry over delays in high-profile cases such as Nirbhaya gang rape, which ignited a nationwide demand for quicker justice. However, this progress has slowed since 2020, with the number of functional courts dropping to 832 in 2023. This decline reflects the challenges States face in maintaining these courts due to financial and administrative constraints. While the Union government provides support, the responsibility of running fast-track courts rests with the States, many of which struggle to allocate the necessary resources.

Chart 2| The chart shows the number of fast-track courts established between 2018 to 2023

While States such as Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu have maintained a high number of operational courts, others have far fewer or, in some cases, none. For instance, in 2023, several States, including Odisha, Kerala, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Telangana, either had no functional fast-track courts or were struggling to establish them. These disparities are a reflection of local resource limitations, varying levels of prioritisation, and differing administrative capabilities.

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